Chapter 97 - Visiting Win

Delaney and Vincent arrived at the inn they had taken rooms at just as the sky was beginning to turn the fiery colors of the sunset. Vincent was tense, his expression just enough of a frown to make him look intimidating.

Delaney knew he hated that they would be staying at an inn with a restaurant underneath. He hated that he would have to walk through a group of strangers each time they went in or out. Delaney didn't like that her husband had to go through that but she couldn't watch him suffer through a long ride in the carriage.

Originally, she had wanted to surprise Win with their visit. After what happened with Selina though she had decided to send a messenger to let him know they were coming. She didn't want any more of her friends to be so awful to her husband that she had to stop seeing them. She didn't think Win would be so shocked by Vincent but at least this way he had some time to get prepared.

Stepping out of the carriage, the muscles in her husband's jaw twitched and he breathed in sharply. He stood tall though and held out his hand to help her down.

Delaney was wearing a dress that was a dark royal blue with black lace and ribbon. Tied around her neck was a thick black ribbon with a large sapphire hanging from it. Next to her dark and dangerous-looking husband, they were quite a pair.

Harris and Ms. Bird had gone in first and got their rooms. Vincent had paid for all the rooms in the inn so as to see as few people as possible. Walking in with his breathtaking wife on his arm though suddenly all eyes were on them.

For a moment, Delaney was reminded of when she had walked into parties with Vincent. That had been before the war when they were both young and wild and beautiful. It had barely been two years ago but it was as if they'd aged ten years in those two. They were both so different now.

The older woman that gave them the key to their room looked startled when she saw the Duke of Edgewood. She stammered over her words as she held out the key she said was to the "best room in the house". Delaney took it and thanked her quickly, ready to be on their way as she watched her husband redden and look away from them.

"Wait!" the woman called before they could get too far. To Delaney's surprise, she hurried to them and bobbed a quick curtsey.

"I'm truly sorry to you keep you," the woman said hastily, "It's just... well... we've all heard of how the Duke of Edgewood saved us from the dragons and I... I just wanted to say thank you."

Vincent looked taken aback, blinking, and staring at this innkeeper.

"My grandson fought against the dragons too," the woman continued, "But he... he didn't make it home. He spoke highly of you before though. Anyway, I just couldn't let you go without offering my thanks."

"Y-you don't need to thank me," Vincent said quietly with a small smile for the woman, "The men like your grandson are the ones who deserve our thanks. But I appreciate it all the same."

The woman thanked him and apologized once more before she stepped back out of the way, letting them pass. The rest of the eyes in the restaurant still remained on them and Vincent tried to keep his head down as they went up the stairs before vanishing down a hallway towards the room they would stay in.

Delaney gave the key to her husband who unlocked the door for them and took her inside. They were barely through the door when Ms. Bird and Harris swept in, each with a lit candle. Using the candles that were already burning, they lit the candles in the bedroom but there weren't many.

Vincent and Delaney looked around the tiny, dimly lit room and Delaney couldn't help but wonder if this was their best room, how small must their regular rooms be? When she looked at her husband he must have seen the distress in her eyes because he chuckled and pulled her to him, kissing her.

"Miles and I have stayed in many a room like this or even smaller while we were traveling before the war. Harris has too haven't you?"

The man grinned and agreed as he laid out some of Vincent's clothes. Ms. Bird also chuckled at Delaney's surprise but didn't dare go against her mistress. The old maid left the room after a few big yawns.

"Harris," Delaney said as she checked her reflection in the tiny mirror, "Why don't you come to the club with us tonight? You can have a few drinks and watch me beat Vincent at cards."

Vincent rolled his eyes and Harris laughed, "Ah well I appreciate the offer my Lady but you see Vince had a beautiful wife picked out for him when he was a child but if I want one I'm going to have to go out and find her myself. I can't exactly do that at a gentlemen's' club."

Vincent laughed at this and now it was Delaney who rolled her eyes.

It wasn't much later when the Duke and Duchess descended the stairs of the inn and hurried out into the evening summer air. Insects were chirping all around and stars were starting to light up the night sky.

"Should we call for the carriage?" Delaney asked.

"Let's not," Vincent smiled down at her, "I want to walk down the streets in the warm night air with my beautiful wife on my arm."

Delaney smiled and leaned up to kiss him. She tucked her arm in his and together they started for Win's club. As they walked they passed by Delaney's old school and she paused to smile fondly at it.

"I remember when I came here to see you for the first time and you were nowhere to be found," Vincent chuckled.

"I remember when you found us at Win's club and I thought I would die," Delaney giggled, "I was so horrified."

"I could tell. I was so surprised but intrigued that this high born woman would have snuck out of her school in the middle of the night to run off to a club to play cards with men."

"Was it scandalous?" Delaney teased, giving his arm a squeeze as they walked on.

"It would have been if my mother had learned of it," Vincent chuckled again before kissing her forehead.

Delaney felt her heart flutter with excitement when they turned a corner and Win's club finally came into view. She climbed the stone steps with her husband who was now beginning to limp again but seemed pleased to see his wife so happy.

Vincent rapped lightly on the door and the little window slid open revealing a pair of peeping eyes. When the door opened a moment later Delaney let go of Vincent's arm to rush forward and hug the giant man standing just inside.

The ever-faithful Cecil was still guarding the door for Win and Delaney was happy to see he remembered her. Then again she didn't know how he could ever forget the group of girls that had managed to talk their way into a gentlemen's club and learned to play cards. They had been regulars.

Cecil's eyes landed on Vincent and Delaney was relieved when he didn't hesitate to extend his hand to shake the other man's. Cecil had never been much of a talker though. That place had been reserved for his boss.

"Well I don't believe my eyes," came a familiar booming voice, "Is that Miss Delaney Simms I see?"

"It is not," Delaney teased Uncle Win, "It is Lady Delaney Adair, Duchess of Edgewood."

"Ah of course," the round old man laughed, "I should have guessed from the fancy outfit. But I suppose you'll always be a rebellious schoolgirl in my eyes."

Delaney hugged Win who hugged her back happily.

"And Lord Adair," Win beamed at Vincent, "So nice to have you at my club again, and thank you for letting your dear wife come visit us."

"I don't know that I had much of a choice in the matter," Vincent smiled warily back before holding out his hand to Win.

The men shook hands and Win signaled for the person behind the bar to bring them drinks.

"Now then," Win looked at them, "If Delaney is here I know she won't be able to turn down a game. But what about you your grace? Do you play cards?"

"I do in fact although my wife doesn't have faith in my abilities. She's never played against me before though."

"Ah well if I were you I'd say don't start now unless you're prepared to lose. Even if you win I imagine it would be a cold bed you'd be going home to so you'll lose either way."

Delaney rolled her eyes as the men laughed at this.

"I know she's very good so I guess we'll just have to see if I'm better."

"It's up to you," Win laughed, "Now come on. Let's find you a table."